(Culver City, CA —) On Sunday, November 5th at 2 p.m., The Mayme A. Clayton
Library & Museum, located at 4130 Overland Avenue in Culver City, will present another
of the late Mimi Melnick’s Double M Jazz Salons. The much-anticipated concert will
feature, John Clayton’s Baaad Bass Monsters. The string ensemble, directed by John
Clayton, will feature Edwin Livingston, Lyuman Medeiros, Gabe Noel, Johnathan
Richards and Katie Thiroux, as well as students of David Young and special guest,
Nashir Janmohamed.

Bassist, arranger, composer, educator and clinician, John Clayton has garnered the
admiration and respect of his peers, colleagues and fans, alike. There was plenty of
music at home. John’s mother played the piano and organ in church. The family’s proud
tradition continues today with his brother Jeff, an accomplished alto saxophonist. John’s
son Gerald, has emerged as a gifted pianist in his own right. In 1985, John co-founded
the Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra with Jeff Clayton and drummer Jeff Hamilton.
John started playing bass at age 16. He attended Indiana University and majored in
music. A pivotal point in John’s early career, occurred when he studied privately with his
mentor, the legendary Ray Brown.

Mr. Clayton served with distinction as the principal bassist for the Amsterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. In addition, John has taught at USC’s Thornton School of Music. In 1991, the Grammy Award-winning virtuoso, served as the Artistic Director for the Hollywood Bowl. Always in demand, John produced the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and taught at the prestigious Vail Jazz Workshop in Colorado.

Throughout his prolific career, John has composed and arranged for Monty Alexander, Hank Jones, Bill Cunliffe, Count Basie, Whitney Houston, Diana Krall, Quincy Jones, Carmen McRae, Nancy Wilson, Ernestine Anderson, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Tyrell Stafford and Paul McCartney.

November 5th, also marks the third Mimi Melnick Double M Award for Young Jazz Talent, given to an extraordinary artist. Mimi’s brother, Richard Clar and the Clar Family, have established an annual fund for emerging musicians. Each year, other donors have also come forward to enhance the award, totaling $2,000. Eligible candidates are those who have made early contributions to the art form and continue to display great promise. Our format remains the same. We will present this coveted award at 3:00 p.m., at the end of the first set.

Sunday, November 5th at 1 p.m

John Clayton’s Baaad Bass Monsters!

The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

4130 Overland Avenue

Doors open at 12:30 p.m. At 1:00 p.m., John will briefly reflect on his life and career,
in an informal discussion with jazz historian Jeffrey Winston. The first of two sets, will
begin at 2:00 p.m.

In 1996, Jazz Baroness Mimi Melnick launched her first salon at her Encino home on Strawberry Drive. Mimi loved jazz. She organized the intimate salons to support L.A.’sjazz community. Producer Steve Isoardi notes, “November will bring to an end, the 21st year of Mimi’s unique series!”

“We are very proud and extremely honored to carry the torch”, said Executive Director Lloyd Clayton. The MCLM, collects, preserves, exhibits and celebrates, the vast history and cultural heritage of Americans of African descent. Performance Portraits, a poignant exhibit by photographer Bob Barry, includes stunning images of iconic, world-class, artists. It may be viewed before the concert and during intermission. The exhibit is free. Seating is limited. Salon tickets are $20.00 and may be purchased

or call, (310) 202-1647.